INTRODUCTION
This article examines the latest rankings of the most environmentally friendly cars on the market for 2024. The data, derived from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), sheds light on the greenest automobiles that are available nationwide. While electric vehicles (EVs) have been stealing the limelight in terms of fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness, surprisingly a vehicle with a petrol engine tops the list. The rankings also cover affordability, accessibility, and the worst-performing models, painting a comprehensive picture of the green vehicle landscape for 2024.
The Greenest Car in America
According to the latest GreenerCars ratings from the ACEEE, the “greenest” car in America for 2024 is the Toyota Prius Prime SE plug-in hybrid, which manages to eclipse pure electric vehicles. Its high ranking is partly anomaly, however, with the subsequent four positions in the ranking occupied by electric vehicles. The Prius Prime has a retail price of $32,975 and an estimated annual fuel cost of about $529.
Top 10 Environmentally Friendly Cars
The ACEEE’s top 10 list for the greenest cars includes six electric vehicles (EVs) and four hybrids. Following the Toyota Prius Prime SE in the rankings come the Lexus RZ 300e, Mini Cooper SE, Nissan Leaf, and Toyota bZ4X – all EVs. Rounding out the top ten are a mix of hybrids and EVs including the Toyota RAV4 Prime, Hyundai Elantra Blue, Hyundai Kona Electric, Toyota Camry LE, and the Kia EV6.
Additional Vehicle Rankings
The ACEEE also compiled two other vehicle ranking lists. The “Greener Choices” list features a mix of high-scoring conventional vehicles, while the “Meanest List” highlights the worst-performing mass-market models. Topping the Greener Choices list for having the least environmental impact is the Honda Accord Hybrid, while the Mercedes-Benz AMG G63 – priced at a whopping $184,000 – earns the dubious honour of being the worst-performing mass-market vehicle.
Future of the EV Market
Peter Huether, ACEEE’s Senior Transportation Research Associate, emphasizes the need for automakers to continue expanding affordable EV options, to ensure that the benefits of EVs can be accessed by more people. This is crucial as we transition away from gas-guzzling cars. Huether also points out that for drivers who aren’t yet catered for by the current EV charging infrastructure, there are many efficient and affordable hybrid options available.
Affordability and Market Trends
Over half of the cars on the 2024 Greenest List are priced under $35,000, including four EVs and three gas hybrids. This price point is becoming more feasible as the average price across all EVs dropped by 18% in 2023, owing to increased competition from traditional automakers, improvements in inventory and supply chains, and decreasing lithium-ion battery costs. These trends suggest a promising future for EVs and hybrids in terms of their affordability and accessibility.
In conclusion, the future of environmentally friendly car options is looking bright, with competitively-priced EVs and hybrids becoming increasingly accessible and efficient. While the Prius leads the pack in 2024’s greenest cars, the majority of top-rated cars are now electric – a trend that seems set to continue.